Rock legend Chrissie Hynde is opening the floor to her fans, inviting them to pose questions about her illustrious career and her latest musical project. The move coincides with the release of her new album of collaborations, a star-studded affair featuring some of music's biggest names.
A Career Forged in Punk London
Hynde's journey to becoming one of rock's most iconic frontwomen began in the mid-1970s when she left the American Midwest for London. There, she immersed herself in the burgeoning punk scene, working for the NME and at Vivienne Westwood's legendary boutique, Sex. After several false starts with various bands, she found her footing by forming The Pretenders in 1978.
The band's ascent was meteoric, with early singles like 'Brass in Pocket' reaching No. 1 in the UK. Throughout the changing line-ups of the 1980s and beyond, Hynde remained the constant, her distinctive, insouciant style defining the band's sound. The Pretenders' catalogue grew to include timeless hits such as 'I Go To Sleep' and '2000 Miles', and they scored one of the 1990s' biggest power ballads with 'I'll Stand By You'. To date, the band has released 12 studio albums, with 2023's 'Relentless' earning them their highest chart position in decades.
A New Album of Celebrated Duets
Hynde has long been a sought-after collaborator, having previously recorded with greats like Frank Sinatra and Cher, and topping the UK charts with UB40 on 'I Got You Babe'. Her new project, 'Chrissie Hynde & Pals', continues this tradition on a grand scale. The album features an impressive 13 duets with a roster of acclaimed artists, including Debbie Harry, Brandon Flowers, kd lang, Dave Gahan, Lucinda Williams, Shirley Manson, and Cat Power.
Your Chance to Ask a Legend
To mark the album's release, Chrissie Hynde has agreed to answer questions from the public. Fans are encouraged to submit queries about the making of the star-studded duets record or any other aspect of her remarkable five-decade career in music. Questions must be posted before 10am GMT on Monday 8 December. A selection of her answers will be published in the Film & Music section on Friday 12 December, both in print and online.
